Indian traditions are very firmly ensconced in religion, a fact that seeps into all aspects of our lives. In many Hindu households, every new beginning is usually blessed by Lord Ganesha, every child initiated into the world of words by Goddess Saraswati, and Goddess Lakshmi thanked by every new car or homeowner.
When you are moving into a new home, you would want all possible positive energies to be present in the space. The puja room serves this purpose. Big or small, the puja room is a corner of the house where you take a few moments to be grateful for the life you have. So, it’s only fair that you spend some time to decide how and where you should designate the space for it in your new home. Here are a few ideas that will help you plan your puja room.
A separate puja room
If you have an exclusive room dedicated for divine contemplation in your house, then there are multiple styles you could opt for. Do you want an atmospheric ancient-temple-feel? Then go for ornate floor-to-ceiling pillars and elaborate arches to achieve a heavy and ornate effect. Make it elegant in dark wood in the South Indian style and add some intricate carvings.
How about retelling a favourite portion from the Ramayana or Mahabharata through these carvings? Or go for a more North Indian look with cool, milky-white marble or granite shot with light grey.
If you have chosen wood, then enhance it by having rustic colours like orange or brown inside the room, and have small murals painted. If you have opted for white or grey marble, then keep it minimalistic with some dull gold filigree work on the mandap and facade. Have some soft lighting and a small and low-hanging bell or two to round up the look.
A standalone cabinet
Perhaps you are not really planning on dedicating an entire room. There are plenty of elaborate cabinets that will cut it for you. And the biggest advantage? You can keep it anywhere in the house – in the corridor, hall or entrance. Cabinets are very flexible, and you can customise it to be as big or small as you want.
One of the most common designs is having a door with multiple bells on it, which gives the effect of a ceremony at the temple every time you open or close the door. But apart from that, you can also have a door with pictures of all your favourite gods and goddesses to create a very modern art effect.
Play with lights. Try some backlighting and highlight some beautiful backdrops. Light up the floor around the cabinet or even drape string lights all around for a more festive and cheerful effect.
Designs to maximise space
Want to utilise space to the maximum? Then floating shelves are the best way to go. Add a few shelves to the front room in a separate space but along with your other display cases. With some clever lighting, you can make your puja spot the highlight of the room.
No space in the living room? How about making use of the space under staircases? Put in a mini-cabinet or make a small, raised platform with a wall decal of lamps and you have a mini puja room right there! If you have a hallway or a small corridor, then consider putting a platform at the very end to serve as the puja room.
Make good use of tall candles as they will double up as decorative lighting.
Using corners with niches and insets
In most houses, corners are often underutilised. There are very few things that fit perfectly into corners and many times we don’t even have the time to think of these spaces because they are insignificant. But don’t underestimate them. Although small, they might be the perfect setting for those few moments of prayer and solitude that you look for every day.
Rounded niche cases and wedge-shaped floating shelves would be perfect for setting up a corner of your living room or dining room or even your balcony as a puja room. Light it up with some overhanging lights, hang strings of fake but very real-looking flowers or handmade hanging brass lamps to enhance the mood.
You could also create a miniature pond beneath where you can float some lotuses or other flowers associated with serenity.
Puja spaces outdoors
A puja room outside the house is something that doesn’t cross many of our minds immediately. But if you have a small courtyard or a garden, then why not? Not only is it unique but it also gives you an effect of ‘going to the temple’ everyday.
If you have the space, add a few steps and construct a raised platform with a mandap to give a very realistic look. You can also give a rustic feel by surrounding it with vines and plants. If this sounds elaborate, you can also simply have a changing-room sized enclosure or a standalone cabinet, depending on the space you can spare.
Excellent Ideas. You have excellently written and shown how we can use the space for the pooja temple.